What Is Spravato?
What Is Spravato?
Spravato is an innovative treatment for Major Depressive Disorder that has not responded to conventional therapies.
If you have not found significant relief from your depression symptoms after trying at least two different antidepressants, this could be the next option for you!
For the first four weeks, treatments are twice weekly, followed by four more weeks of weekly sessions. After eight weeks, you and Dr. David Wolff, M.D. will create an ongoing (maintenance) plan together.
How It Works
Spravato
THE PROCESS
Therapy tailored specifically for you
1
Free
Consultation
2
Spravato Evaluation with Dr. Wolff
3
Begin Treatment
Treatment Timeline
At Shore TMS, we offer free initial screenings to determine if Spravato is the right treatment for you. During this consultation, we’ll review your symptoms and treatment history and talk through the next steps in your care.
Our team is here to make the insurance process simple and stress-free. Once we determine that you are a candidate for Spravato, we will handle the insurance process for you. We will work with your provider to ensure that coverage requirements are met and help you begin treatment as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
1
Free Consultation
Upon completion of your consultation, we will schedule an appointment for you to meet with Dr. Wolff for further evaluation and to discuss whether Spravato is the right treatment for you.
2
Spravato Evaluation with Dr. Wolff
The Spravato treatment is self-administered through a nasal spray in two to three doses. Rest assured, Dr. Wolff medically supervises your care, and a staff member will be with you throughout your session to help you feel safe, supported, and comfortable.
The self-administered nasal spray comes in three doses per session. You’ll start with two doses during your first visit to see how you respond, and if you respond well, future sessions will include all three doses.
Please note that Spravato sessions last two hours for monitoring and safety purposes. We kindly ask that you arrange transportation home in advance. For your awareness, patients usually feel the peak effects around 40 minutes after the first dose. This will gradually subside as your session continues.
To help you feel at ease, our office offers soothing music, mindfulness meditations, and aromatherapy. Patients are welcome to bring in their own entertainment.
3
Begin Treatment
Temporary Side Effects of Spravato?
Side effects can vary in intensity, and not everyone will experience the following effects:
- Sedation: This is the most commonly reported side effect. Many patients find themselves needing a nap after receiving Spravato, but this sedation typically lessens over time.
- Dissociation: Some individuals may feel a sense of disconnection from themselves, their thoughts, emotions, or their surroundings.
- Blood Pressure Changes: A temporary rise in blood pressure may occur and can last for about four hours following a dose. We will monitor your blood pressure throughout your treatment.
- Nausea: Some patients may experience nausea after administration of Spravato.
- Anxiety: A short-term increase in anxiety symptoms can occur in some individuals after taking Spravato.
How Effective is Spravato?
Short term vs long term research
A short-term Treatment Response study indicated that Spravato is effective when used in combination with oral antidepressant(s). As shown in the chart, patients experienced more rapid, significant relief in contrast to taking antidepressants alone. Several patients reported improvement as early as 24 hours, and some even experienced full remission of symptoms within the first 4 weeks!
Sustained Benefits Over Time
Long-term data showed that those who continued Spravato treatment sustained their progress for 4 years! Spravato may also be utilized as a part of a continued care plan.
Spravato Experience Overview
Is Spravato for Me?
Am I a good candidate for Spravato?
Spravato may be a good option if you’re struggling with depression and haven’t found relief with standard antidepressants. Our team is here to help determine if this treatment is the right fit for you during your consultation.
What is the typical course of Spravato treatment?
Spravato is administered twice a week for the first 1-4 weeks, then once a week for 5-8 weeks, and again, gradually reduced (bi-weekly or once every three weeks) based on your progress. Each session lasts about two hours, including a monitoring period to ensure your safety and comfort.
Is Spravato safe?
Yes! Spravato is FDA-approved and administered under medical supervision. You’ll be monitored periodically throughout your session to ensure your safety and a supportive environment.
How does the Spravato treatment process work?
- Spravato treatment begins with a consultation to see if it’s the right fit for you. During each session, you’ll self-administer the nasal spray under medical supervision, and relax in a comfortable setting for about 2 hours with a staff member present the entire time.
- The self-administered nasal spray comes in three doses per session. You’ll start with two doses during your first visit to see how you respond, and if you respond well, future sessions will include all three doses.
- Sessions are typically scheduled twice a week at first, then reduced to once a week, and so forth, based on your progress and response. For your safety, you’ll need a ride home after each visit.
What are the side effects of Spravato?
Some patients may experience mild side effects, such as sleepiness, a sense of disconnection from themselves, and fluctuations in blood pressure during the session. However, these effects are temporary and typically wear off before you leave.
How is Spravato different from other depression treatments?
Spravato works differently from standard treatments like antidepressants, as it can provide relief more quickly for some patients, and is primarily designed for individuals who haven’t responded to other treatments.
Does Spravato affect memory or thinking?
Spravato does not cause memory loss. Some patients may feel temporarily disconnected from themselves (dissociation), but this resolves shortly after treatment.
How long do Spravato results last?
Results can vary, but many patients experience meaningful improvement, usually within the first 4-6 sessions (about 4 weeks), depending on the frequency of sessions. Otherwise, maintenance sessions are recommended to help support long-term relief.
Will my insurance cover Spravato treatment?
We work with most major insurance plans, and our team will handle the authorization process for you to help make treatment as accessible and smooth as possible.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your first visit includes a consultation in which we review your history, answer your questions, and walk you through your goals and expectations. At Shore TMS, we practice to ensure you have the opportunity to feel comfortable and informed before beginning any treatments.
What happens after I complete Spravato treatment?
After your initial nine treatments, we will continue to monitor your progress, and you will have the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Wolff whether maintenance sessions may be helpful to support your healing process.
What clinical information is available on Spravato?
Spravato is backed by ongoing research. During your consultation, we’ll share helpful resources and guide you to trusted sources if you’d like to learn more.
